Scoring a point for academic diligence, The Ohio State University Graduate School now leads the national pack in completed student surveys this year, aptly surpassing the University of Texas at Austin, which previously held the top spot.
According to an article published by Ohio State University, the quantitatively significant gradSERU survey aims to capture the full scope of graduate student experiences extending beyond the classroom and delving into areas of mentorship, professional development, and both mental and physical well-being, as Graduate School Dean Mary Stromberger explained, "It helps us understand what graduate students are experiencing in all aspects of their education." Stromberger's anticipation grows as this year's data is not only compared with peer institutions but also with previous findings from 2023, marking a year of potential growth and enlightenment.
It's noteworthy that the Graduate School's survey completion percentage jumped by 5% from the preceding year, hopping from a concerning 15% to an undisclosed current rate the tactics behind this spike were diverse and data-driven, commencing with an analysis of email open rates and following up with direct outreach, this can be credited to the strategic communications program manager Matt Swift who underscored the team's vigorous approach to enhance participation across nearly 300 academic programs.
Efforts to boost survey awareness ranged from signs displaying QR codes to utilizing Ohio State’s training platform, BuckeyeLearn, as a constant reminder for students, as Swift puts it, complete the graduate student survey, appeared on students' to-do lists alongside grades and courses, and even a pizza party mingling session during Graduate Student Appreciation Week wasn't spared in the quest to muster survey completions, Carly Logan, a Graduate School education program specialist, recollects genuine interactions where students expressed their participation and gratitude.
